Chapter 67
A week had passed, and it was time for Nick’s birthday party. Everything was going to be fun and exciting...and there would be no mention of my illness. I had requested everyone to pretend like nothing was wrong. I knew that my decision to withhold treatment was one that everyone disagreed with, but, it was my life, and the baby’s life. I put my child first, and there was nothing that would stop that.
“Nick, you aren’t supposed to be doing any of this.” I said to him with a mad face.
“But Heather, you aren’t supposed to be doing...” Nick said but was quickly cut off.
“Nickolas, I told you...I will do everything and act like nothing is wrong. The more you make a fuss over me, the worse I feel. I want to live my life. Not let the cancer do it for me. Please. Now, get outta here so I can finish setting up the decorations.” I said sternly.
“But...” Nick pouted.
“But nothing...if you don’t get your butt outta here...then I am going to kick it!” I hollered as I pushed him out of the living room. “And mister, if you don’t listen, I am going to send you to your room!” I laughed.
“You can’t do that! I am not a teenager anymore! Neener neener!!” he said as he playfully ran outta the room.
Kat and Leighanne looked at me. “How do you put up with his nonsense, Heather?” Leighanne asked.
“It’s easy...he is so damn cute and loveable...how COULDN’T I put up with him.” I said with a grin.
Kat and Leighanne laughed. Dee then walked in the room. “Hey, Heather. I got the cake ready...where do you want me to put it?” she asked, giggling the whole time.
“Um, you can put it in the laundry room until we need it. And Dee, what the hell is so funny?” I asked with a confused, yet slightly amuzed look on my face.
“Oh nothing...you will see!” She said as she exited to put the cake away.
“How come I have a bad feeling about this?” Kat whispered.
“Cuz, since Dee was the one to design the cake, I am sure she got Kevin and AJ involved. And if that was the case...we are in for a big surprise...and probably not what we expected.” I casually informed them. However, as we soon found out, it wasn’t the cake that she was laughing about, it was something else.
The three of us continued to decorate the living room with party favors and streamers. All the while, I could hear Dee giggling, then her running through the living room in a panic, followed by Kevin holding a spatula covered in frosting, and then giggling again. Kat and Leighanne looked confused. However, I knew that things were working out for the two of them. After a few minutes, I heard complete silence coming from the kitchen area. Concerned, I excused myself for a moment.
As I rounded the corner to the kitchen, I saw a sight that about floored me. I was so shocked to see Dee and Kevin completely covered in frosting and making out on the floor.
“Oh God! Excuse me! I didn’t mean to interrupt!” I yelled as I quickly made my way out of the kitchen. I was laughing so hard, Kat and Leighanne thought I was going to have the baby right then and there!
All you could hear was screams and hollers from the kitchen as Dee and Kevin tried to put themselves back together. Kevin walked casually out of the kitchen and looked us all. I burst out in a fit of laughter again, this time so bad I had to sit on the couch.
“I’m sorry Heather. And, I have no idea what is soooo funny.” Kevin said matter-of-factly.
“Gee, I don’t know Kevin, why don’t you go and look at yourself in the mirror!” Kat giggled.
“What??!!” Kevin hollered as he took off down the hall to the bathroom. After a few seconds we heard, “Denise! I am going to kick that fine ass of yours!!”
Kevin had found out that Dee had very strategically put frosting all over his face. He looked like Santa Claus. His eyebrows were white, his mustache was white, and he had a frosting goatee. Dee finally came around the corner and fell on the couch in hysterics.
“That is for all the hell you put me through the past month Kevin!! Now we are equal!” Dee hollered down the hall.
“I will get you for this!” Kevin vowed, knowing full well that he never would.
After a short argument between Dee and Kevin, we all found ourselves frantically running around. Nick was whining about having to stay out while we finished, and AJ, Howie, and Brian had gone off to get the rest of the food. I let the others finish up as I went to go and lay down for a bit. The whole day was making me feel so exhausted.
“Um, guys, could y’all finish up? I am going to lay down for a bit, I hope y’all don’t mind.” I said as I started to walk off.
Everyone turned to me and nodded. They were afraid to say anything, not knowing if I would get upset or not. I knew they all meant well, but the thought of everyone making a fuss over me was depressing. I wanted to live my life, not die.
Dee went and got Nick from outside and told him that I had gone to lay down. Nick got scared and came to check on me.
“Baby, are you okay?” he whispered.
“Yeah, I am. The baby is just bouncing around in there, and my whole body feels tired. I thought I would lay down for a while. Please don’t worry.” I answered softly.
Nick smiled and then laid down next to me. He placed his hand gently on my stomach and smiled every time he felt the baby kick. “Our child sure is an active one.” He whispered and then kissed me.
“Yeah, I think he or she is going to take after you.” I said with a grin.
“And what is THAT supposed to mean?” Nick asked defensively.
“Well, he or she will have my gorgeous looks, and then have your personality and feistiness.” I laughed.
“Gee thanks...I thought I was the one with all the looks...” he pouted.
I smacked him on the arm and then started to laugh. After a few minutes, we both fell asleep in each others arms, all the while, the rest of the gang setting up for the party.
*** *** ***
“Let’s have a party!! Everybody!!!” Nick sang as he ran into the room. He couldn’t hold his excitement anymore and started to jump around like a little kid.
“Nick, how old are you again?” Kevin asked, laughing.
“I’m...” Nick said holding up his hands and then realizing he didn’t have enough fingers. “Umm...” he said as he sat on the floor...holding up is feet. “I’m 20 years old.” He finished in a little kid voice.
Everyone in the room laughed and joked. “Well, maybe he hasn’t grown up just yet!”
We all partied the night away. AJ was the first one into the cake. As soon as Nick blew out the candles, AJ grabbed the knife and sawed at the cake. Nick was shocked when he saw a piece of cake come flying at him. AJ had decided it was more fun to throw the cake than eat it, so, soon a huge food fight broke out.
Nick thought it was fun, as did AJ and Howie. When Brian and Kevin tried to join in, Leighanne and Dee held them back. They knew that I was going to be mad. I watched in horror as the whole living room was covered in food and cake. I had never seen such a mess. It wasn’t long before a piece of cake came flying at me and hit me in the face. All of the sudden, the whole room got quiet.
I stood there in shock as pieces of cake fell from my face. I wiped my eyes clean, and then looked at them. Nick had the most worried look on his face... “Umm, I’m sorry hon.” He said, hoping that I wouldn’t blow up.
Everyone else just looked at me, and then Kat ran to get a towel. I stood there, unsure of what to say, or how to act. If I laughed, then the guys would start throwing food again. If I got mad, then the party would be ruined. I didn’t want either. Kat soon returned with a towel to clean my face.
“Thank you Kat. I am glad that someone has some sense of courtesy.” I said with a frustrated look.
Nick, AJ, and Howie all hung their heads in shame, knowing I was mad. They started to quietly pick up the food and clean up the mess. The others were about to join in, when I nodded to them, “no.”
As soon as Nick, AJ, and Howie turned their backs to me, I quietly picked up a huge piece of cake, and held it behind my back.
“Nickolas Gene, how dare you make such a mess...” I said as I walked up to him.
He turned and looked down, “But honey, we were just having fun.” He said.
“Well, you weren’t supposed to do that until...” I said as I slammed the cake into his face. “I got the first shot!” I said as I giggled loudly and ran away.
AJ and Howie busted out in laughter as Nick stood with cake all on his face. Everyone else was in hysterics as Nick chased me around the house. With in seconds, I was in the kitchen, aiming the hose from the sink at him. After a brief scuffle in the kitchen, Nick walked back out to his friends, and pouted. He looked like a drowned rat. I, on the other hand was victorious! Not only had I gotten Nick back for the cake in my face, but I also got him back for all the jokes he played on me.
“Well, it looks like the joke is on you Frack!” Brian yelled out...and then everyone else joined in.
The rest of the night was spent totally destroying the house, partying,
dancing, and having a great time. It wasn’t until everyone went home,
that I soon realized that I was the one to have to worry about the mess
in the morning.